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Justice News

McKeesport Woman Charged with Defrauding Social Security

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of theft of government property, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named Karen Bosnak, 52, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

The indictment alleges that, from Nov. 16, 2013 through Sept. 18, 2014, Bosnak converted to her own use $13,970 in Title II Social Security benefits deposited to the bank account of a deceased beneficiary, after his death.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul E. Hull is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The U.S. Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.